Looking to upgrade your iPhone or make a switch? Here's a detailed comparison between the iPhone XR and iPhone 12 mini to help you decide.
Both the iPhone XR and iPhone 12 mini are popular models in Apple’s lineup, offering solid performance and features at different price points. While the iPhone XR brings a larger display and sturdy design, the iPhone 12 mini offers newer hardware in a compact form.
Before finalising on which model to purchase, it's important to compare iPhone XR and iPhone 12 mini across specifications, design, performance, camera, battery life, and pricing.
If you're deciding between the iPhone XR and the iPhone 12 mini, it helps to start with a quick look at their technical foundations.
The table below highlights and compares the key specifications of both models:
Feature |
iPhone XR |
iPhone 12 Mini |
Launch Year |
2018 |
2020 |
Chipset |
A12 Bionic chip |
A14 Bionic chip |
Display Type |
6.1" Liquid Retina HD (LCD) |
5.4" Super Retina XDR (OLED) |
Resolution |
1792 x 828 pixels, 326 ppi |
2340 x 1080 pixels, 476 ppi |
Rear Camera |
Single 12MP Wide |
Dual 12MP (Wide + Ultra Wide) |
Front Camera |
7MP TrueDepth |
12MP TrueDepth |
Battery Life (Video) |
Up to 16 hours |
Up to 15 hours |
Water Resistance |
IP67 (up to 1m for 30 mins) |
IP68 (up to 6m for 30 mins) |
Face ID |
Yes |
Yes |
Wireless Charging |
Qi Wireless |
MagSafe + Qi Wireless |
Storage Options |
64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
Weight |
194 grams |
135 grams |
Both phones reflect Apple’s premium aesthetics, but they differ in size, material, and ergonomics.
The below table compares the design and build features of the iPhone XR and iPhone 12 mini:
Feature |
iPhone XR |
iPhone 12 Mini |
Dimensions (H x W x D) |
150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm |
131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm |
Weight |
194 grams |
135 grams |
Frame Material |
Aluminium with glass back |
Aluminium with Ceramic Shield front |
Colour Options |
RED, Yellow, White, Coral, Black, Blue |
Black, White, RED, Green, Blue, Purple |
Build Quality |
Rounded edges, thicker bezels |
Flat edges, slim bezels |
Water/Dust Resistance |
IP67 (1m for 30 mins) |
IP68 (6m for 30 mins) |
Photography is a key deciding factor for many users. The iPhone XR and 12 mini differ significantly in this area.
Here’s a detailed camera comparison between both devices:
Feature |
iPhone XR |
iPhone 12 Mini |
Rear Camera Setup |
Single 12MP Wide |
Dual 12MP (Wide + Ultra Wide) |
Aperture (Wide) |
ƒ/1.8 |
ƒ/1.6 |
Ultra Wide Lens |
Not available |
ƒ/2.4, 120° field of view |
Night Mode |
Not available |
Available |
Portrait Mode |
Yes, with Depth Control |
Yes, with improved bokeh |
Smart HDR |
Yes |
Smart HDR 3 |
Front Camera |
7MP, ƒ/2.2 |
12MP, ƒ/2.2 |
Front Night Mode |
Not available |
Available |
Video Recording |
4K at 60 fps (Rear), 1080p at 60 fps (Front) |
4K at 60 fps (Rear and Front), Dolby Vision |
Performance varies not only by chipset but also by efficiency, thermals, and battery size. The table below outlines the differences in processing power and battery life between the two models:
Feature |
iPhone XR |
iPhone 12 Mini |
Processor | A12 Bionic chip |
A14 Bionic chip |
Neural Engine |
2nd generation |
16-core Neural Engine |
RAM (unofficial) |
3GB |
4GB |
Battery (Video Playback) |
Up to 16 hours |
Up to 15 hours |
Charging Support |
Fast charge up to 50% in 30 mins (20W) |
Same, plus MagSafe support (15W) |
Wireless Charging |
Qi Wireless only |
Qi + MagSafe |
Daily Performance |
Smooth for basic tasks and gaming |
Faster app loads, better multitasking |
Though both devices run iOS, the iPhone 12 mini benefits from newer hardware that enhances several features.
The comparison below highlights software compatibility and unique functional differences:
Feature |
iPhone XR |
iPhone 12 Mini |
Operating System |
Ships with iOS 12, upgradable to latest |
Ships with iOS 14, upgradable to latest |
Face ID |
Yes |
Yes |
5G Support |
No |
Yes |
MagSafe Accessory Support |
No |
Yes |
Night Mode & Deep Fusion |
Not supported |
Supported |
Dolby Vision Recording |
Not supported |
Supported |
Spatial Audio |
Not available |
Available |
Software Longevity (Expected) |
Few more years |
Longer due to newer chip |
Pricing plays a major role in deciding between the two. The iPhone XR tends to be priced slightly higher across some variants despite being an older model.
The table below compares their current pricing across available storage options in India:
Variant |
iPhone XR |
iPhone 12 Mini |
64GB |
₹47,900 |
₹59,900 |
128GB |
₹40,999 |
₹24,999 |
256GB |
₹64,900 |
₹54,999 |
Disclaimer: This information is meant to help you compare options, but prices and availability can change. Always check with official sources before making a final decision.
Choosing between the iPhone XR vs iPhone 12 mini comes down to what matters more, display size or hardware efficiency.
If you prefer a larger screen, longer battery life, and slightly more affordable pricing on the 128GB model, the iPhone XR is a reasonable pick. However, if future-proofing, compact design, 5G support, and advanced camera features are important to you, the iPhone 12 mini offers better long-term value.
Those looking to compare iPhone XR and iPhone 12 mini should weigh performance needs against comfort and budget. Both run iOS smoothly, but the Apple iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone XR debate mostly depends on your personal usage style.
Whether you go for the iPhone XR or iPhone 12 mini, paying upfront may not always be convenient.
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The iPhone XR has a larger LCD display and older A12 chip, while the iPhone 12 mini offers a smaller OLED screen, faster A14 chip, 5G support, and dual cameras.
Yes, in most cases. Despite its smaller size, the iPhone 12 mini offers better display quality, newer internals, and longer software support.
No. The iPhone XR generally offers slightly better battery life due to its larger size and lower-resolution screen.
The iPhone 12 mini has a sharper, brighter OLED display with higher contrast and better colours than the iPhone XR's LCD screen.
Yes. The iPhone 12 mini has Night mode, Dolby Vision video, 5G support, MagSafe charging, and a more advanced camera system.
If you value camera improvements, compact size, 5G, and a better display, upgrading to the iPhone 12 mini is worthwhile, especially at current prices.